Harapan formally endorses Adly as Malacca CM candidate
Pakatan Harapan today finally announced Amanah's Adly Zahari as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate, putting to rest concerns among some within the coalition that ex-Umno leaders such as Idris Haron could be tipped for the top job if they win.
"The consensus achieved by the leadership is to maintain the commitment to name Adly Zahari as the chief ministerial candidate.
"God willing, if we win, he will...
Pakatan Harapan today finally announced Amanah's Adly Zahari as the coalition's chief ministerial candidate, putting to rest concerns among some within the coalition that ex-Umno leaders such as Idris Haron could be tipped for the top job if they win.
"The consensus achieved by the leadership is to maintain the commitment to name Adly Zahari as the chief ministerial candidate.
"God willing, if we win, he will be nominated as the chief minister," PKR president Anwar Ibrahim told a press conference where Harapan unveiled its Malacca election manifesto this evening.
Adly was the chief minister when Harapan formed the Malacca government from 2018 to 2020 and is largely presumed to be the coalition's de facto leader in the state.
However, Harapan's decision to accept Idris, who was sacked from Umno, as the coalition's candidate for Asahan had raised concerns about his political ambitions.
Prior to Adly's formal endorsement, Idris was asked whether he would back Adly as the chief ministerial candidate but he did not give a clear commitment.
Anwar stressed that Harapan will work as a team to ensure its 28 election candidates can win.
He also positioned Harapan as a united front and contrasted it with the clash between the BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalitions even though they are both parts of the federal government.
"We're sending a clear signal to the people that we are the only coalition that is not fighting against each other.
"BN and PN are in disarray as they have two candidates," he told the press conference at a hotel in Malacca town, which was also live-streamed on social media.
Asked about DAP's reluctance to campaign for Umno defectors under Harapan's banner, Anwar said it was no longer an issue.
DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke, when asked about the matter, reiterated that the Harapan parties will focus on their respective areas.
"We will focus on our respective areas," he said.
Apart from Idris, who is contesting the state polls under PKR, Amanah has also fielded ex-Umno leader Nor Azman Hassan as a Harapan candidate in Pantai Kundor.
The controversy surrounding the Umno defectors has left Harapan on the defensive for much of the early campaign period.
The coalition is now trying to change the narrative with a focus on their manifesto.
The manifesto puts heavy emphasis on reviving the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly the tourism industry which the state is heavily reliant upon but has since been devastated.
Harapan is also promising to introduce an anti-party-hopping enactment in Malacca and acknowledge the role of the state opposition by giving them the same status as a state executive councillor.
